The Cars of Cuba

I rode a 1952 Bel Aire convertible in Cuba—and feel like a kid again in my father’s car.

I am riding a 1952 Bel Aire convertible down the street in Havana, Cuba, feeling like a kid again. The ride surely brings back memories. That’s the car my father drove our family in every Sunday morning to see my grandparents. Even more so, the car is my contemporary—we both came into this world in 1952.

I am here with Intrepid Travel, seeing what Cuba has to offer—and it feels like time travel back into my childhood.  It’s the 1950s and 1960s all over again. The vintage models are pretty much the only cars driving down Havana’s streets. Sitting in one feels like riding a time machine itself! 

“There’s a reason why Cuba feels like an open-air museum of vintage cars,” says our guide, Ada Garcia, who leads Intrepid Travel tours here. “In the 1960s, the USA imposed an embargo on Cuba, and we could no longer buy new cars. People had to do with what they had, and an enduring love affair started with old American cars as seen across the island today.”

In Cuba, old cars are a source of pride and honor among their owners, who take great care to maintain and restore these beautifully preserved vehicles.  They are a throwback to a time when Cuba was the center of the entertainment world. These cars are long gone in most of the world, but here they are alive and well in Havana, the capital of Cuba, and the rest of the island. 

Want vintage cars of Cuba to transport you back in time? Come ride one of them:

1950s Chevy Bel Aire

The 1950s Bel Aire is considered by many to be “an icon of its age”.  It was the ‘it’ car.  If you were cool like any of the idols of the time, you owned one.  It was right alongside “Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Leave it to Beaver,” and is among the most recognizable American cars of all time. The coupes and convertibles are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. They are roomy, with tastefully restrained, period-use tail fins and chrome bumpers. Named after the wealthy Bel Air neighborhood in Los Angeles, they went from 0-60 in 19 seconds and were available in several different trims: convertible, hardtop coupe, two- and four-door variant sedan. It was the car to own.

Ford Fairlane: A Stylish Step Forward

In 1956, Ford introduced a car that perfectly embodied the spirit of the era—ambitious, optimistic, and unmistakably bold. The Ford Fairlane, named after Henry Ford’s Fair Lane estate, was the flagship of Ford’s full-size lineup, and in many ways, it represented a stylish leap forward for American automotive design.

With its sweeping chrome side trim, two-tone paint schemes, and sleek new roofline on the Victoria hardtops, it made a visual statement that matched the confidence of 1950s America. Inside, drivers were greeted with a spacious, well-appointed cabin that blended comfort with mid-century flair.  Under the hood, the Fairlane offered muscle to match its style. The top-tier 312 cubic inches V8 delivered up to 225 horsepower, giving drivers the power and performance they craved for open-road cruising or city driving.  Among its many variants, the Sunliner convertible and Crown Victoria hardtop stood out for their unique silhouettes and upscale touches. But regardless of the body style, the 1956 Fairlane delivered a balance of beauty, performance, and practicality that resonated with drivers then—and still does today.

Decades later, the Fairlane remains a rolling tribute to an era when cars were built with both purpose and personality. Whether restored to its former glory or cruising in its original patina, the Fairlane is more than a classic—it’s a cultural time capsule on wheels.

Buick Super: The Quiet Giant of American Roads

Among the great names of American automotive history, the Buick Super often glides just below the radar—but make no mistake: this full-sized beauty was a quiet giant of its time. This was more than a car. It was a rolling symbol of postwar optimism blending upscale design, solid performance, and a touch of understated glamour; the Super occupied a sweet spot in Buick’s lineup between practicality and prestige.

Originally introduced in the late 1930s, the Super came into its own during the 1950s—a golden age for American car design. By the time the 1955–1956 models rolled off the line, the Super was bolder, longer, and more refined than ever. Under the hood, the Super didn’t disappoint. With a V8 engine that delivered smooth, confident power, it offered a ride that was equal parts comfort and capability. Buick’s Dynaflow automatic transmission added to its effortless cruising feel—ideal for the wide highways and growing suburbs of postwar America.

Inside, the Super was all about comfort and style. Generously sized bench seats, chrome-trimmed dashboards, and plush upholstery created an environment that felt more living room than automobile. Optional Frigidaire air conditioning made summer driving luxurious, and armrests in the rear seats added a touch of executive-class comfort. It was the car of choice for families who wanted something substantial, elegant, and reliable—but without shouting about it. Today, the Buick Super is a respected classic. In many ways, the Super lives up to its name—not with noise or flash, but with grace, substance, and staying power.